Brilliant Dad Feature week 34

October 16, 2015

Kevin Zelenka is a freelance writer and a stay-at-home father of twin toddlers.

When he’s not following behind his sons picking up toys or attending meet-ups with other fathers in the Dad Group he started, he can be found spending time with his wonderfully supportive wife or writing in on his blog Double Trouble Daddy. They all live in a suburb of Las Vegas, Nevada

1. Have you always wanted to be a dad?

I knew from a young age that fatherhood was something I wanted a part of.

What I didn’t want was to just have a kid to have one. I wanted it to be with the right person.

Because of this, I didn’t have children until after I hit my 40’s.

My first marriage was a struggle from day one and I knew it wasn’t an environment I wanted to bring children into, especially when it seemed inevitable that we’d be fighting over custody down the road.

My second marriage is to the person I wanted to bring a child into the world with. We were blessed with twin sons, and they will have the comfort of knowing that their mother and I are together for them forever.

2. How did you feel when your children were born?

How about excited and frightened all at the same time?

It’s like waiting in line for the biggest rollercoaster at the amusement park. You’re excited just being there, but also scared stiff of what’s ahead. With twins? It’s been one hell of a ride so far and we just bought potty chairs so it looks like there’s another hill coming!

3. What have been your most rewarding experiences so far as a Dad?
I have been asked that before and I think I have to stick by my original answer. The most rewarding moment with my twin sons changes weekly. They are learning so much right now, and at such a fast pace that just when I get excited about an achievement, they go and learn something else. I’m so proud of them.

4. What are some of funniest moments to have happened to you as a dad?
Lately the comedy in the house has been their language skills. They are 2 ½ and really struggling with the communication barrier. It’s all coming together fine, but of course they’re at the age where sometimes it’s difficult to make certain sounds, so those sounds are replaced with others, thus changing the words entirely. Shirt becomes shit (pants on – shit on) and we don’t even want to talk about giving a fork.

5. Have there been any situations with your children that you have found difficult to cope with?

One of the hardest things is remembering who I’m dealing with. It makes it a little easier that my background is managing sales people. They do something wrong because they don’t know any better or are testing their new environments and don’t have the words to always express themselves. Tantrums are common and sometimes they just need a little extra attention, or maybe a nap. Knowing how to deal with the outbursts is key. My toddlers are like that too.

6. What are your dreams and hopes for your children?

I want what everyone else wants. I hope and dream that my children grow up healthy, find a kind of work they enjoy doing, a mate that they can also call a friend, and get to experience the same happiness I feel everyday with them. I also secretly hope that one of them lands a huge sports contract and loves his parents so much he buys them a vacation home. You did say hopes and DREAMS, did you not?!

Thank you very much for Kevin taking part in the Brilliant Dad Feature.